Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Cody Hiland to the Arkansas Supreme Court on Monday, signaling a conservative majority on the court.
Arkansas, the last Southern state to turn crimson, is becoming even more red during Sanders’s abbreviated presidency, which began in January.
State Republicans elected the 51-year-old Hiland as state party chairman last year. Appointed by then-President Donald Trump, he served as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 2017 to 2020.
Hiland was also counsel for the Arkansas Department of Public Safety and prosecutor for the 20th Judicial District of Arkansas.
He participated in Sanders’ campaign for governor in 2022.
“Today, I appointed former prosecutor and U.S. attorney Cody Hiland to the Arkansas Supreme Court — marking the first time the Court will have a conservative majority,” the governor tweeted Monday.
“Cody brings decades of legal experience to the job — and I am confident he will serve our state well,” she said.
Today, I appointed former prosecutor and U.S. attorney Cody Hiland to the Arkansas Supreme Court — marking the first time the Court will have a conservative majority.
Cody brings decades of legal experience to the job — and I am confident he will serve our state well. pic.twitter.com/w1gmAAyxO8
— Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) July 3, 2023
Sanders appointed Hiland as a consequence of the recent demise of 70-year-old Justice Robin Wynne from leukemia.
Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas tweeted that Hiland’s nomination was “an outstanding selection.”
“Cody Hiland is a good friend who is fair, impartial, and will apply the law without favor,” the Republican said.
“A great day for Arkansas.”
An outstanding selection by @SarahHuckabee.
Cody Hiland is a good friend who is fair, impartial, and will apply the law without favor.
A great day for Arkansas. #ARPX https://t.co/JLIjb08JgI
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) July 3, 2023
Asked to comment on the appointment, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin referred The Western Journal to social media, where he tweeted a description of Hiland as “an outstanding appointment.” CONTINUE READING…